DOL Announces $90M for Apprenticeship Programs, Includes $30M for High-Tech Industries

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it will commit up to $90 million for the newly established ApprenticeshipUSA initiative with the intent to double and diversify the number of apprenticeships by 2018. Through the ApprenticeshipUSA program, the DOL will coordinate efforts with industry and education leaders, nonprofits, and local governments to accelerate and expand state apprenticeship strategies and grow the use of apprenticeships in new industries. Over $60 million in grants will help support state strategies that expand and diversify apprenticeship opportunities with the remaining $30 million targeted at catalyzing industry partnerships in fast-growing and high-tech industries. Through these high-tech apprenticeship programs, the DOL intends to support organizations focused on increasing diversity and to launch national efforts to make it easier for employers to start and for workers to find apprenticeship opportunities. Key industries include health care, IT and advanced manufacturing.

In the program’s first round of funding, DOL is accepting applications for the ApprenticeshipUSA State Accelerator Grants Program – an initiative to expand and diversify apprenticeship in the United States by working with state workforce and economic development agencies to develop and promote statewide Registered Apprenticeship programs. Accelerator Grants are structured to support a range of activities aimed at integrating Registered Apprenticeships within state talent development through public-private partnerships including efforts related to S&T industries. Proposals are due May 15. Additionally, in June, DOL intends to release a federal funding announcement for ApprecenticeshipUSA State LEADER grants. Read the announcement…